National Trust - Canons Ashby, Northamptonshire
Details
Accessibility
2025:
"We're passionate about making Canons Ashby as accessible as possible to everyone. The information below outlines the various ways that can help you enjoy your visit. We have an Access Statement that gives further information. If you have any questions when you arrive please do speak to a member of staff, they will be happy to help.
Arrival and parking: The entrance to the car park is signed from the Adstone and Moreton Pinkney roads. The car park has a hard surface with loose chippings in some areas. There are six spaces for Blue Badge holders and, if these are all full, passengers can be dropped off outside Visitor Reception. There is an overflow car park that can be used in drier weather; this has a grassed surface and is relatively flat.
Visitor Reception: Visitor Reception is in the main car park, near the path that leads to the House. It has two entrances, both of which are step free, level and have double doors. There is an induction loop at the desk and an access map on the wall, copies of which can be borrowed by visitors. A large print version of the visitor welcome leaflet about the property is available as are braille guides. Three manual wheelchairs are kept at Visitor Reception for anyone who wishes to borrow one and chairs are available that visitors can use if there is a queue at the reception desk. Sensory items are available to borrow and include ear defenders, fidget toys and soft toys. Assistance dogs are welcome at the property. The path to the House is step free and up a slight slope. A buggy is available to take visitors from Visitor Reception to the House, shop and main toilets.
Toilets: The main toilets are next to the Shop (opposite the House) and include an accessible toilet and baby changing facilities in the ladies toilet. The accessible toilet has a left-hand transfer, has a hand dryer and is lit by a ceiling light with an LED bulb. There is also a toilet in Visitor Reception that has some adaptations and has a left-hand transfer.
Accessibility in the house: There is a flight of seven steps up to the main entrance which are uneven and four staircases between the first and second floors in the House. There are also other steps, some curving, between other rooms in the older part of the property. There isn’t a lift in any area of the House. Seating without armrests is available for visitors in every room and can be easily identified as it is modern. There are items in every room that can be touched or handled and the Room Guides will offer these to anyone wishing to handle them. There is a portable hearing loop in the House and it can be taken elsewhere on the property if required. There are two copies of large print guides for the House which can be borrowed by visitors and there are braille guides to the property at visitor reception and at the entrance to the House. Ear defenders can be borrowed and an area has been designated as a quiet space. Most rooms are lit by natural light and, where lighting is necessary, bulbs are not fluorescent or harsh. There is a video tour of the House and a photo album in the Great Kitchen, access to which is initially over pebbles in the Courtyard, but is then level with one left hand turn into a corridor. Pushchairs can be left in the Pebble Courtyard.
Accessibility in the tea room: The Tea Room is near the shop and is accessed by a gentle slope with one curve in it. There are two steps at the entrance to the Tea Room and a temporary ramp can be requested at the Shop. There is an induction loop and two handled mugs, large cutlery and plastic straws are available. There is 1200mm circulation space between tables and bays and a 1.5m radius for a wheelchair turning circle. There are rubber caps on the bottom of the chairs and several chairs have arms. Some of the chairs have arms. Staff are happy to help with carrying trays. Assistance dogs are welcome in this area. There is also an outdoor seating space which has level access but a loose gravel surface.
Accessibility in the shop: The shop is split level with both halves having a level entrance although the one opposite the house has three steps down into the upper level of the shop and a two more steps to the lower level. The counter is on the lower level which is accessible from the Tea Shop entrance. Staff are happy to give advice on items on the upper level and pick up items for visitors. There is an induction loop by the till.
Accessibility to the bookshop: This is accessed over pebbles in the Pebble Courtyard and there is one small, uneven step into it. The space between bookshelves is relatively small but staff are happy to help anyone looking for a particular book.
Access to outside spaces: The main path up to the house is tarmac and there is thin gravel on paths in the top two terraces. Paths around the vegetable area are grassed. There are four stone steps with a handrail leading to the top terrace of the garden and two level access points to the Sundial Terrace and vegetable garden from the main path. Access between the garden areas is either by steps or a grassed slope. Several seats are placed around the garden and there are some accessible picnic benches with space for a wheel chair or pushchair in the Paddock. These are accessed over level grass. There is also level access to the Parkland but, as it is a field, it is sloping and uneven. The access map in Visitor Reception gives more detail about accessibility in the gardens and Paddock.
Access to the church: The path to the Church is across well-trodden grass covered in bark chippings and across a road. There is then a hand gate. There is one step into the Church and, due to the narrow space between the entrance and the roadside, it is not possible for a temporary ramp to be safely put in place."
Brief description
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/leicestershire-northamptonshire/canons-ashby
2025:
"A tranquil Tudor manor house set in rare terraced gardens, with the 'antient' Dryden family at its heart"
Address
Canons Ashby Priory
Canons Ashby
Daventry
NN11 3SD
https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/church/st-mary-canons-ashby
2025:
canonsashby@nationaltrust.org.uk
Phone
https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/church/st-mary-canons-ashby
2025:
Website
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/leicestershire-northamptonshire/canons-ashby
Directions
2025:
"By road: from M40 junction 11, take A422 (Northampton), then at roundabout take B4525 and follow brown signs. From M1 junction 16, take A45 (Daventry) at the roundabout take first exit A5 towards Towcester, then follow brown signs. Coming with a caravan or mobile home? Please contact us beforehand to discuss your parking on canonsashby@nationaltrust.org.uk or call 01327 861900. Parking: 200 meters from the garden and toilets. No parking on lanes and verges is permitted. The car park is locked at 5.00pm. Sat Nav: Use NN11 3SD
Cycling: Cycle parking is in the main visitor car park, adjacent to reception. There is a small repair kit available upon request at reception. Canons Ashby is located in a quietly beautiful part of South Northamptonshire just off the B4525 with views across the surrounding countryside. There are roadworks on many of the approaching routes as HS2 work continue. We are 12.7 miles from Buckby Station and 12.2 miles from Banbury Station. It is also route 50 of the National Cycle Network (NCN50). Usual admission prices apply. Plan your route to Canons Ashby using the CycleStreets journey planner via the, Cycling more infomation, link below. (This journey planner uses OpenStreetMap data which is generally excellent but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. If you come to a footpath or other cycle-prohibited track, please don't ride on it). Cycling - more information."
Opening times
2025:
Open daily.
"Opening times for 19 July 2025:
House: 11:30 - 16:00
Church: 10:00 - 17:00
Garden: 10:00 - 17:00
Park: 10:00 - 17:00
Shop: 10:30 - 16:30
Tea-room: 10:30 - 16:30
Last entry for the house is 30 minutes before the house closure time. For example, if the house closes at 4pm, last admission will be at 3.30pm.
The second-hand bookshop is open 10:30 - 3:30.
On busy days, we may operate timed tickets for house entrance and these will be subject to availability.
In the second half of May the windows on the south front of the house at Canons Ashby will be undergoing some routine care and attention. Each day one or more rooms in the house may be affected by the works and need to be closed. Please ask at reception upon arrival for details, or telephone ahead if there was a particular room you were hoping to visit."
Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change
Transport
2025:
"By train: Banbury 10 miles.
By bus: There is no direct public transport route. Bus to Woodford Halse (4 miles), between Daventry and Banbury. "
Amenities
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/leicestershire-northamptonshire/canons-ashby
2025:
"Bookshop: The Bookshop is located off the Pebble Court at the entrance to the House.
- Car park: Small car park located 200 yards from the House, Tea Room and Shop.
- Cycle parking: Cyclists are welcome to use the tearoom. Cycle racks are located adjacent to the reception building in the car park at the main entrance from Eydon Road. Usual admission prices apply.
- Dogs allowed: Dogs on short leads are welcome in all our outdoor spaces except for the family Wild Play Corner. Assistance dogs are welcome everywhere.
Toilet: Located opposite the entrance to the house. There are baby-changing facilities in the outer area of the ladies toilets available to all.
- Family friendly: There are lots of activities to keep the whole family entertained and help you create great memories. There are baby-changing facilities in the area outside the unisex accessible toilet and the ladies toilet. These are available to all.
Tea-room: The cosy Tearoom is housed in the old stables, serving hot and cold meals, drinks, sandwiches, and light snacks. Seating available inside and out.
Shop: Housed in the old Victorian Coach House, choose from seasonal gifts and local ranges, including books, edible treats and children's pocket money toys. Outside in spring & summer there are a range of plants.
Picnic area: The Paddock has picnic tables and space to run around."
Travel Information
For further travel information please see: www.traveline.info
Or call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33
(Calls cost 12p per minute plus your phone company's access charge)
Location
Nearest Venues
Bartholomew Arms, Towcester, Northamptonshire
2.97 miles*
*Distances are calculated in a straight line from the current venue, please allow extra time/distance based on available paths or roads.